You have to love the man. Virgil van Dijk has been perhaps the main catalyst in Liverpool's rise over the past 18 months, providing the type of leadership at the back the club has been lacking for a number of years. He is now amongst the best defenders in world football, and is the current favourite to win the PFA Player of the Year award at the end of the season.
While he is now the most expensive defender in the history of football, and earning vast sums of money himself, he came from much humbler beginnings. Speaking to Guillem Balague and the BBC, van Dijk has recalled his first job as a dish-washer in Holland, when he was paid the princely sum of €3 per-hour:
From being a dish-washer to being one of the Premier League's best defenders.
Hear @VirgilvDijk in his own words in and exclusive interview with @GuillemBalague.
Listen and download the full interview ➡ https://t.co/e5SdGm6Qxs #LFC pic.twitter.com/nsKdgFVVz5— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) February 21, 2019
Before I signed my first contract, so when was 15 or 16, I started working as a dishwasher in Breda, because I wanted to just make a little bit of money at least...
I worked on the Wednesday evening from six until midnight, then Sunday from six until midnight. I just wanted a little bit of money to go to town on the Saturday night and just have a little bit of money.
I got just 300, maybe 350 euros every month. I was so happy with that! I could go to McDonald's and treat my friends...
We had a spot in Breda on a Saturday night in front of the McDonald's, and there were always a lot of people there. I went there, trying to be all tough I remember!
I think then I started to realise how important money can be, but it's not the most important thing.
He was just delighted with a bit of McDonald's on a Saturday night!
Of course, a lot of footballers come from very humble beginnings, something that can be easily forgotten when you consider the vast wages they earn as a pro. Stories like this provide a timely reminder of the hard work involved in rising to the top of their sport.
